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A.  Schultze 


Books  of  the  Bible 
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BOOKS  OF  THE  BIBLE 


BRIEFLY  ANALYZED, 


FOR  USE  IK 


BiBLE  Instruction  and  for  Bible 
Students  in  General. 


President  Moravian  Theological  Seminary. 


THIRD  EDITION. 
REVISED  AND  CORRECTED. 


easton,  pa.: 
h,  t.  frueauff. 

1890. 


Copyright,  1889,  by  A.  Schultze. 
All  rights  reserved. 


PRKKACK. 


THIS  publication  has  been  prepared  for  the 
purpose  of  furnishing  the  Bible  Student  with 
a  comprehensive  view  of  the  contents  of  the 
various  books  contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  of  facilitating-  the  study  of  the  Word  of  God. 
May  it  stimulate  the  reader  to  search  the  Book  of 
hooks,  which  is  able  to  make  wise  unto  salvation, 
through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

A.  SCHULTZE. 
Bethlehem,  Pa. 


THE   BIBLE 

is  divided  into  two  principal  parts,  the  Old  and 
the  New  Testaments,  the  former  comprising  the 
books  that  were  written  before  the  birth  of  our 
Saviour,  the  latter  embracing  the  writings  that 
were  composed  after  that  event.  The  Old  Testa- 
ment contains  thirty-nine  books  and  the  New 
twenty-seven,  making  sixty-six  in  all.  The  books 
of  the  Old  Testament  were  formerly  divided,  for 
the  convenience  of  reading,  into  sections  called 
Parshioth  or  Haphtaroth,  and  those  of  the  New 
Testament  into  Lectionaries  or  church-lessons. 
Since  the  thirteenth  century  of  the  Christian  era 
the  present  division  into  chapters  has  come  into 
general  use, 

A.— tHe  oLd  testament. 

The  Jewish  church  divided  the  books  of  the  Old 
Testament  into  three  classes,  viz. :  theTorah  or  the 
Law,  the  Nebiim  or  the  Prophets  and  the  Ketu- 
bim  or  the  Holy  Writings.  TheTorah  contained 
the  Pentateuch,  that  is  tlie  first  five  books  of  the 
Bible;  the  Ketubim  comprised  the  Psalms,  Pro- 
verbs, Job,  Ecclesiastes,  the  Song  of  Solomon, 
Ruth, Chronicles,  Ezra,  Nehemiah,  Esther,Lamen- 
tations  and  Daniel;  the  Nebiim  included  the  re- 
maining books.  The  Christian  church  divides 
the  39  books  of  the  Old  Testament  into  17 
historical,  17  prophetical  and  5  poetical  or 
doctrinal  books. 


I.-HISTORICAL   BOOKS. 

The  historical  books  of  the  Old  Testament  con- 
tain the  history  of  the  "ancient  covenant"  between 
God  and  mankind,  particularly  of  the  covenant 
between  God  and  the  people  of  Isrrel,  and  date 
from  the  creation  of  Adam  to  the  reformation  of 
Nehemiah,  that  is  from  about  4000-400  B.  C. 

1.— Genesis. 

The  book  called  Genesis  (orig-in  of  historical 
events)  includes  the  history  from  Adam  till  the 
death  of  Joseph,  the  date  of  the  latter  event  being 
variously  fixed  between  the  years  1850  and  1600 
B.  C.  The  earlier  portion  of  the  book,  to  the  end 
of  the  eleventh  chapter,  is  a  religious  history  of 
the  ancient  world,  and  the  latter  portion,  a  history 
of  the  fathers  of  the  Hebrew  race.  Genesis  has  50 
chapters  which,  for  the  sake  of  symmetry,  may 
be  arranged  in  four  groups,  each  containing  12 
chapters,  with  the  last  two  chapters  as  an 
appendix  ;  viz.  : 

Chapters  1-12,  the  world* s  history  from  Adam  to 
Abraham;    1-6,    from    Adam    to 
Noah  and  to  the  deluge;  7-12, from 
Noah  to  Abraham. 
"         13-24,  the  history  of  Abraham  (and  Isaac). 
"        25-36,  the  history  of  Jacob. 
"        37-48,  the  history  of  Joseph. 
Chapters  49  and  50  add  the  "  blessing  "  of  Jacob 
and  his  death,  and  the  death  of  Joseph. 

2.— Exodus. 

The  book  of  Exodus  (/.  <?.,  Departure)  describes 
the  bondage  of  the  children  of  Israel  in  Egypt, 
their  deliverance  and  their  migration  from  Egypt 


to  Mount  Sinai;  it  also  contains  the  promulgation 
of  the  law  from  Mount  Sinai  and  the  erection  of 
the  tabernacle.  The  date  of  the  Exodus  is  uncer- 
tain, but  is  placed  by  many  writers  at  1492  B.  C. 
The  book  has  40  chapters  which  are  divided  into 
two  very  nearly  equal  parts,  the  first  historical, 
the  second  legislative,  viz.  : 

Chapters  1-19,  the  historical  part,  which  may  be 
subdivided;  1-6,  Israel's  bondage 
and  the  calling  of  Moses ;  7-12,  the 
ten  plagues  and  the  exodus;  13-19, 
the  migration  from  Egypt  to  Sinai. 
**  20-40,  the  legislative  part;  20-24,  the  first 
promulgation  of  the  law;  25-31, 
the  plan  of  the  tabernacle,  and 
order  of  worship;  32-34,  the  sin  of 
the  people  and  the  renewal  of  the 
covenant;  35-40,  the  building  of 
the  tabernacle. 

3.— Leviticus. 

The  book  called  Leviticus,  i.e.,  levitical  precepts, 
contains  a  fuller  account  of  the  Mosaic  Law, 
mainly  of  the  ceremonial  law  and  of  ordinances 
relating  to  the  Levites  and  priests.  The  order 
followed,  while  not  strictly  systematical,  shows  a 
certain  plan,  which  may  be  outlined  by  grouping 
the  27  chapters  of  the  book  in  three  divisions  of 
about  9  chapters  each  ;  viz. : 

Chapters  i-io,  the  laws  relating' to  sacrifices  and 
the  priesthood.  1-7,  the  sacrifices; 
8-10  the  priesthood. 
**  11-20,  the  laws  concerning  purity  and 
impurity;  11-16,  clean  and  un- 
clean ;  17-20  Israel  separated  from 
the  heathen. 
"  21-27,  the  laws  concerning  holy  orders 
and  holy  seasons. 


8 

4.— Numbers. 

This  book  takes  its  name  from  the  double  num- 
bering or  census  of  the  people,  the  first  of  which 
is  given  in  chapters  1-4,  and  the  second  in  chap- 
ter 26.  It  embraces  the  history  of  the  march  of 
the  Israelites  through  the  desert,  from  the  time 
of  their  leaving  Sinai  until  their  arrival  at  the 
borders  of  the  promised  land,  together  with  the 
special  laws  given  during  this  period.  If  the 
date  of  the  exodus  as  given  before  is  correct,  the 
period  here  comprised  would  be  1490-1450  B.  C. 
Numbers  is  divided  into  36  chapters,  which 
may  be  arranged  in  three  groups,  viz  : 
Chapters  1-9,  the  host  of  Israel,  or  preparations 

for  the  departure  ;  especially  levit- 

ical  appointments, 
*•        10-19,    the  journey    to  Kadesh  and   the 

wanderifigs  in  the  wilderness,  10- 

14,  from  Sinai  to   Kadesh  ;   15-19, 

the  wanderings. 
"        20-36,   the  journey /r^w  Kadesh   to  the 

east  side  of  the    Jordan ;    20-25, 

from    Kadesh    to    the    plains    of 

Moab  ;  26-30,  special  legislation  ; 

31-36,  on  the  east  side  of  Jordan  ; 

additional  laws. 

5.  — DeultTonomy. 

Deuteronomy  signities  a  "repetition  of  the 
law."  This  title. expresses  the  general  scope  of 
the  book,  which  is  a  review  of  the  forty  years  in 
the  wilderness,  including  the  laws  which  had 
been  given.  It  consists  of  three  discourses  de- 
livered by  Moses,  shortly  before  his  departure, 
and  closes  with  the  story-  of  his  death.  Hence 
the  34  chapters  of  Deuteronomy  arrange  them- 
selves, as  follows  : 


First  discourse,  chapters  1-4,  recapitulation  of  the 

history  of  the  forty 
years. 
Second       "  "        5-26,  recapitulation  of  tiie 

Sinai  tic  law. 
Third  "  "     27-33,the  solemn  charge, or 

blessings  and  ciirses 
Chapter  34  contains  an  account  ot  the  death  of 
Moses.  The  second  discourse,  which  recapitu- 
lates the  enactments  of  the  law,  may  be  subdi- 
vided into  four  groups,  viz  : 
Chapters    5-1 1,  the  moral  law. 

"         12-16,  the  ceremonial  law. 

"         17-21,  the  laws  relating  to  government. 

"        22-26,  the  laws  relating  to  social  life. 

6.— Joshua. 

The  book  of  Joshua  sets  forth  the  acts  of  Joshua, 
in  connection  with  the  conquest  and  the  division 
of  the  land  of  Canaan,  comprising  a  period  of 
about  30  years,  possibly  1450-1420  B.  C.  It  has  24 
chapters  which  divide  themselves,  naturally,  into 
two  equal  parts,  viz  : 

Chapters  1-1-2,  the  conquest  of  Canaan  ;  1-5,  prep- 
arations for,  and  the  passage  of 
the  Jordan  ;  6-10,  the  conquest  of 
the  South;  11-12,  the  conquest  of 
the  North. 
•*  13-24,  the  division  of  Canaan,  and 
Joshua's  farewell ;  13-22,  assign- 
ing of  territories  ;  23-24,  the  last 
days  of  Joshua. 

7.— Judges. 

In  this  book  are  recorded  the  achievements  of 
a  number  of  leaders,  who  arose  in  the  Hebrew 
republic  to  deliver  their  countrymen  from  the 


oppressions  of  neighboring- nations.  The  period 
comprised  in  this  book  includes  the  time 'froni 
the  death  of  Joshua  to  the  death  of  Samson, 
that  is  from  about  1400-1100  B.  C.  It  has  21 
chapters,  divided  as  follows  : 

Chapters  \-\6,the  history  of  this  period ;  i-5,from 
Joshua  till  Deborah  ;  6-9,  Gideon 
and  his  family  ;  10-12,  Jephthah  ; 
13-16,  Samson. 
"  17-21,  an  appendix  containing  two  epi- 
sodes from  the  times  of  the  Judges 

8. -Ruth. 

The  book  of  Ruth  was,  originally,  a  part  of  the 
book  of  Judges,  and  is  a  supplement  to  that  book, 
while  at  the  same  time,  it  serves  as  an  introduc- 
tion to  the  history  of  David.  Its  four  chapters 
narrate  the  history  of  faithful  Ruth,  the  ances- 
tress of  King  David. 

Chapters  1-2,  Ruth  coming  to  Bethlehem. 
"         3-4,  her  marriage  with  Boaz. 

9.— Samuel. 

The  two  books  of  Samuel,  in  the  original 
Hebrew  Canon,  formed  but  one  book.  They  take 
their  name  from  Samuel,  the  last  judge  and  the 
founder  of  the  schools  of  the  prophets,  wtio  played 
a  prominent  part  during  the  first  portion  of  that 
period. 

I  Samuel  records  the  history  of  the  lives  and 
times  of  the  prophet  Samuel  and   of  King  Saul, 
about   1 100-1050  B.  C.     The   31    chapters   of  this 
book  may  be  divided  as  follows  : 
Chapters  1-8,  the  high  priest  Eli  and  the  prophet 
Samuel;   1-4,  Eli  ;  5-8,  Samuel. 
"       9-15,  King  Saul  chosen  and  rejected;  9-12. 
Saul's  election  ;  13-15,  his  wars. 


"  16-31,  SauTs  reign,  and  his  en>nity  against 
David;  16-26,  David  at  Saul's  court 
and  persecuted  by  him  ;  27-31, 
David  sojourning  with  the  Philis- 
tines. 

10. -II  Samuel. 

The  second  book  of  Samuel  contains  the  his- 
tory of  King  David,  after  tlfe  death  of  Saul,  that 
is  the  period  from  about  1050  to  1000  B.  C.  It  is 
divided  into  24  chapters  which  may  be  arranged 
in  three  groups,  as  follows  : 

Chapters  i-\o,  David's  glorious  reign  at  Hebron 
and  in  Jerusalem  ;  1-4,  at  Hebron  ; 
5-10,  at  Jerusalem. 
"  11-20,  David's  sin  and  the  rebellion  of 
Absalom;  11-14,  David's  sin  and 
its  punishment  ;  15-20,  the  rebel- 
lion. 
"      '2\-'i\,  the  last  years  of  David's  reign. 

ll.-I  Kings. 

The  first  and  second  books  of  Kings,  like  the 
two  books  of  Samuel,  were  originally  only  one 
book  in  the  Biblical  Canon.  The  historical  events 
range  from  David's  death  and  Solomon's  acces- 
sion to  the  throne  to  the  destruction  of  the  king- 
dom of  Judah.  a  period  of  al)Out  400  years. 

I  Kings  commences  Math  the  anointing  of 
King  Solomon  and  carries  the  history  down  to 
the  death  of  King  Jehoshaphat,  1000  to  900  B.  C. 
Its  22  chapters  may  be  divided  into  two  equal 
parts,  viz.: 
Chapters  i-ii,  the  reign  of  Solo?non. 

"       12-22,  from  the  division  of  the  kingdom 

to  the  death  of  Jehoshaphat. 
(Chapters  17-22,  principally    the   story    of     King 

Ahab  and  the  prophet  Elijah.) 


12. -II    Kings. 

The  second  book  continues  the  contemporary 
history  of  the  two  kingdoms  of  Judah  and  Israel 
to  the  downfall  of  both  of  them,  comprising-  the 
period  from  900  to  600  B.  C.     There  are  25  chap- 
ters in  this  book,  divided  as  follows,  viz.: 
Chapters  1-17,  the  contemporary  history ^  of  Judah 
a7id  Israel ;    1-8,    principally   the 
ministry  and  the  miracles  of  the 
prophet  Elisha;  9-17,  from  the  re- 
volt of  Jehu  to  the  downfall  of  the 
kingdom  of  Israel, 
"       18-25,  the  history  of  Judah  alone,  to  the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  Nebu- 
chadnezzar. 

13. -I  Chronicles. 

The  two  books  of  Chronicles  contain  a  genea- 
loQ-ical  abstract  of  the  whole  of  the  sacred  history 
down  to  the  death  of  King  Saul,  and  the  reign  of 
the  sul)sequent  kings  of  Judah  to  the  Babylonish 
Captivity.  While  the  books  of  Kings  are  written 
from  the  prophetical  standpoint  and  give  promi- 
nence to  the  kingdom  of  Israel,  where  Elijah  and 
Elisha  labored,  the  Chronicles  are  written  from 
the  levitical  standpoint  and  the  history  of  Judah 
only  is  given.  In  our  English  Bible  the  first  book 
of  Chronicles  is  divided  into  29  chapters,  (30  in 
the  German). 

Chapters  1-9,  mainly  genealogies,  from  Adam  to 
the  time  of  Ezra,  after  the  Baby- 
lonish Captivity. 
•*  10-29,  the  reign  of  King  David ;  10-20, 
from  the  death  of  Saul  to  the  com- 
pletion of  the  victories  of  David  ; 
21-29,  David's  political  and  reli- 
gious administration. 


13 
14.-II  Chronicles. 

The  second  book  contains  the  history  of  the 
kings  of  Judah,  beginning  with  the  reign  of  Solo- 
mon and  ending  with  the  edict  of  King  Cyrus  of 
Persia,  at  the  close  of  the  Babylonish  Captivity. 
It  covers  the  period  from  about  1000-536  B.  C. 
The  36  chapters  of  II  Chronicles,  may  be  arranged 
in  four  groups  of  nine  chapters  each,  viz,: 
Chapters  1-9,    the  reign  of  King  Solomon. 

10-18,  from  Rehoboam  to  Jehoshaphat. 
"         \Q)-i'],ivovi\  Jehoshaphat  \o  Ahaz. 

28-36,  from  Ahaz  to  Zedekiah. 

15.— Ezra. 

This  book  is  a  direct  continuation  of  the  second 

book  of  Chronicles  and  begins  with  a  repetition  of 

the  last  two  verses  of  II  Chronicles.     It  describes 

the  return  of   the  first  colony  with  Zerubbabel, 

under  King  Cyrus,  and  of  a  second  colony  with 

Ezra,    the    scribe,    under     the     reign     of     King 

Artaxerxes;   a   period   of  about   80  years,  from 

536-458  B.  C.     The  rebuilding  of  the  temple,  and 

the  purification  of  the  people  constitute  the  main 

topics  of  the  book.     Its    10  chapters,  naturally, 

divide  themselves  into  two  parts,  viz.  : 

Chapters  1-6,  the  rebuilding  of  the  temple,  under 

Zerubbabel. 

"         7-10,  ^Q purification  of  ihe people,  under 

Ezra. 

16.— Nehcmiah. 

A  narrative  of  the  commencement,  progress 
and  completion  of  the  patriotic  undertaking  of 
Nehemiah  to  restore  the  city  of  Jerusalem, 
during  the  years  from  445-433  B.  C.  The  book 
has  13  chapters. 


Chapters    1-7,  the  rebuilding  of  the  walls  and  a 

list  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem. 

"  8-13,  the  restoration  of  the  Theocracyecixdi 

the  re-dedication  of  the  people  to 

the  service  of  Jehovah. 

17.- Esther. 

The  writer  of  this  book  narrates,  how  a  great 
danger  which  threatened  the  Hebrews  living  in 
the  Persian  empire  was  averted  through  the 
watchful  care  of  Mordecai  and  of  Queen  Esthf^r. 
If  King  Ahasuerus  is  the  same  person  with 
Xerxes,  the  son  of  Darius  Hystaspes,  the  time  of 
this  event  may  be  fixed  at  480  B.  C.  The  10 
chapters  of  this  book  form  two  groups  of  equal 
length,  viz.: 
Chapters  1-5,    the  danger. 

"         6-10,  the  averting  oi  the  danger. 

n.— POETICAL  BOOKS. 

Under  this  head  are  comprehended  Job,  the 
Psalms,  Proverbs,  Ecclesiastes  and  the  Song  of 
Solomon,  They  are  termed  poetical,  because 
they  are  generally  composed  of  measured 
sentences  and  possess  the  characteristics  of 
Hebrew  poetry. 

1.  Job. 

The  object  of  this  poem  is  to  discuss  the  ques- 
tion: Why  does  God  permit  the  righteous  man 
to  suffer?  It  solves  this  question  by  teaching 
men  that  realizing  their  own  imperfection  and 
ignorance,  as  well  as  the  infinite  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God,  they  must  reject  all  confidence 
in  their  own  "merits,  and  with  an  humble  faith 
submit  to  the  divine  decree.  The  book  of  Job 
has  42  chapters,  and  consists  of  five  parts,  viz.: 


15 

Chapters  i  and  2,  the  historical  infroducfion. 

"         3-3^>  the  (^/i-6-z^j-j'/<?;z  between  Job  and  his 

three  frietids,  EHphas,  Bildad  and 

Zophar;  3-14,  the  first  discussion; 

15-21,  thesecond discussion; 22-31, 

the  third  discussion. 
"        32-37,  the     speech     of    a  fourth  friend, 

EHhu. 
"        38-41,  the  address  of  Jehovah. 
"  42,  the  historical  conclusion. 

2.— Psalms. 

The  collection  of  sacred  hymns,  composed  by 
David  and  other  men  of  God  down  to  the  time  of 
the  return  from  the  Babylonish  Captivity,  contains 
^50  Psalms.  Ancient  tradition  and  internal  evi- 
dence concur  in  separating  them  into  five  great 
divisions  or  books.  These  books  seem  to  have 
been  formed  at  different  periods  and  differ  in 
their  use  of  the  divine  names  Jehovah  (Lord) 
and  Elohim  (God). 

I.  Psalms  1-41,  composed  by  David,  Jehovah 
psalms. 
II.        "       42-72,  composed  by  Z?a'z;/rt!' and  Al9r«^, 
Elohim. 

III.  "       73-89,  composed  by  Asaph,   first  part 

Elohim,  later  Jehovah. 

IV.  "     90-106,  one   psalm    of   Moses,    one   of 

David,  the  rest  anonymous;  all 
Jehovah  psalms. 
V.        "    107-150,  all    ationyfnous   and    using    the 
name  of  Jehovah  ;  later  com- 
positions. 

3.— Proverbs. 

The  book  of  Proverbs  consists  of  short 
discourses  on  various  topics  of  religion  and 
morality,  together  with  many  pointed  sayings 
or   maxims,    expressing   in   few    words  lessons 


i6 

of  practical  wisdom.  It  has  31  chapters.  The 
following-  three  divisions  are  distinctively 
marked: 

Chapters  1-9,  short     continuous     discourses     on 
M^hat  constitutes  true  wisdom. 
"  10-24,  the  proverbs  of  Solofnon,  mostly 

unconnected  sayings. 
■  **         25-31,  proverbs  collected  hy  Hezekiah 
and  later  additions. 

4.— Ecclesiastes. 

Ecclesiastes  signifies  the  preacher  who 
addresses  an  assembly.  It  is  the  confession 
of  a  man  of  wide  experience  as  to  what  the 
experiences  of  life  have  taught  him.  The  12 
chapters  which  this  book  contains  may  be 
grouped,  as  follows: 
Chapters   1-2,  a  personal  confession. 

"  3-5,  the  search  after  >^<^///«^j J. 

"  6-8,  the  search  after  wisdom. 

"  g-i2,thefaihire  of  dotk  and  the  lesson 

to  be  learned:  "to  fear  God  and 
keep  His  commandments." 

6.  -The  ^ong  of  Solomon  (Canlicles). 

This  book,  the  plan  and  purpose  of  which  are 
difficult  to  understand,  seems  to  be  a  pastoral 
drama  representing  the  victory  of  true  love  over 
temptations  and  trials.  It  is  regarded  as  a  sym- 
bol or  allegory  of  the  love  which  exists  between 
Jehovah  and  His  people.  Its  8  chapters  are  vari- 
ously divided  into  different  acts  or  scenes,  e.g.: 
Chapters  1:2-2:7,  the  first  meeting  of  Solomon 
and  Sulamith. 
**        2:8-3:5,  Sulamith's  separation  from  her 

beloved. 
•*'         3:6-5:1,    the   bringing  of   the   bride  to 
Jerusalem. 


17 

"        5-2-8:4,  Sulamith  longing-  for  her  home. 
"        8:5-8:14,  Sulamith   returns  ;  the   victory 
of  true  love, 

III.— PROPHETICAL   BOOKS. 

The  prophets  were  inspired  men  sent  or 
appointed  to  make  known  the  will  of  God  both 
with  regard  to  their  own  time  and  with  regard 
to  the  future.  Hence  their  writings  are  partly 
doctrinal  and  partly  predictive.  Their  personal 
experiences  also  served  as  a  testimony  of  God 
to  the  people.  There  are  17  prophetical  books 
in  th.e  Old  Testament. 

I.  -  Isaiah. 

The  prophet  Isaiah  preached  and  prophesied 
principally  during  the  reign  of  the  Kings  Ahaz 
and  Hezekiah  of  Judah,  from  about  750  to  700  B.C. 
The  book  of  Isaiah  consists  of  two  distinct 
parts,  viz.,  chapters  i  to  35  and  chapters  40  to  66. 
These  two  main  parts  are  connected  with  each 
other  by  four  historical  chapters,  36  to  39, 
the  contents  of  which,  in  a  manner,  seal  the 
discourses  and  prophecies  of  the  first  part  and 
introduce  the  prophetic  panorama  contained  in 
the  second  part. 

Chapters  1-35,  discourses  and  prophecies  connec- 
ted with  contemporaneous  events. 
These  may  be  subdivided  into 
three  nearly  equal  groups,  viz.  : 
1-12,  discourses  addressed  to  the 
•  people  of  Israel  in  general  ;  13-23, 
"burdens"  or  prophecies  ad- 
dressed to  the  surrounding  na- 
tions ;  24-35,  discourses  referring 
to  the  reign  of  Hezekiah. 
36-39,  historical  J   the   invasion   of    the 


i8 

Assyrians  and  the  embassy  from 
Babylon. 
40-66,  a  prophetic  pcutoraina  of  the  fttture. 
These  27  chapters  are  arranged  in 
three  groups  of  9  chapters  each. 
40-48,  the  two  contrasts,  Jehovah 
and  the  idols,  Israel  and  the 
heathen;  49-57,  the  present  suffer- 
ings and  the  future  glory  of  the 
servant  of  Jehovah  ;  58-66,  the 
nominal    and  -the    true   church  of 

c;od. 

2. -Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah,  the  tender-hearted  and  sorrowful 
prophet,  who  predicted  and  shared  in  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  downfall  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem, 
bore  witness  by  his  own  experiences  as  well  as 
by  his  prophecies.  His  ministry,  from  about  630 
to  590  B.  C,  became  one  long  martyrdom.  The 
book  of  Jeremiah,  which  contains  alternately  dis- 
courses and  historical  notes  of  the  life  of  the 
prophet,  does  not  appear  to  be  arranged  accord- 
ing to  a  regular  plan  or  order.  We  may  divide 
its  52  chapters,  as  follows  : 

Chapters   1-2 1,  the  earlier  ministry  of  the  prophet 
under  Josiah  and  Jehoiakim. 
22-31,  additional    prophecies   relating  to 

th e  CO  ming  jndgnien  t. 
32-45,  the    history    of    the     capture     of 

Jerusalem. 
46-52,  \n'o\)\\iiQA^^'Ci'g'ai\\'^iforeign  nations. 

3. — Lanientations. 

Laments  of  the  proj^het  Jeremiah  over  the  exile 
of  the  people,  the  desolation  of  the  land  and  the 
destruction  of  the  temple.  The  five  chapters  of 
this  book  contain  ti\'e  elegies.  Four  of  these 
have  22  verses  eacl),  according  to  the  number  of 


19 

letters  in  the  Hebrew  alphabet;  in  the  first, 
second  and  fourth  each  verse,  in  the  Hebrew, 
Ijegins  with  the  corresponding-  letter ;  in  the 
third  each  letter  begins  three  verses  in  succes- 
sion, making-  the  total  number  of  verses  66. 

4.— Ezekiel. 

Ezekiel,  a  prophet  from  the  tribe  of  Levi,  was 
carried  to  Babylon  in  the  captivity  of  King 
Jeconiah  of  Judah  and  livfed  among  the  Jewish 
exiles  in  the  land  of  the  Chaldaeans,  by  whom  he 
was  held  in  high  esteem.  His  call  to  the  pro- 
phetic office  took  place  in  the  5th  year  of  Jeco- 
niah's  captivity,  595  B.  C.  The  book  of  Ezekiel 
contains  48  chapters  and  is  divided  into  two  equal 
parts,  of  which  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  is 
the  turning  point.  The  24  chapters  of  the  second 
part  are  again  subdivided  into  two  groups,  one 
of  8,  the  other  of  16  chapters. 

Chapters   1-24,  denunciations  against   Judah  and 
Jerusalem, mingled  with  promises 
of  mercy. 
"        25-32,  prophecies  against  seven  heathen 

jiatiotis. 
"        33-48,  promise     of    deliverance    and     of 
future  glory  for  Israel;  33-39,  ^^e 
victory    over    Gog  ;     40  -48,    the 
vision  of  the  new  temple. 

6.— Daniel. 

Daniel,  the  fourth  of  "  the  greater  prophets,"  n 
younger  contemporary  of  Ezekiel  and  a  fellow 
captive,  but  who  was  raised  to  a  high  political 
office,  represented  the  cause  of  true  religion  at 
tiie  court  of  the  Babylonian  and  Medo-Persian 
kings.     He  seems  to  have  prophesied  between 


20 

the  years  590  and  535  B.  C.     The  book  of  Daniel 
is  divided  into  two  equal  parts,  viz.: 
Chapters   1-6,  historical  events. 

"         j-12,  apocalyptic  J     the    future    of     the 
people  of  God  and   its   relation  to 
the  powers  of  the  world. 
6.— Hosea. 
ea  heads  the  list  of  the  "lesser  prophets," 
although,  as  regards  the  chronological  order,  he 
probably  holds  the  third  place.     His  prophetic 
career  extended  from  785-725  B.  C.     He  dM^elt  in 
the  northern  kingdom,  that  of  Israel  or  Ephraim, 
and  his  prophecies  principally  regard  that  king- 
dom,  then  fast  verging  towards   its  ruin.     His 
style  of  writing  is  abrupt  and  often  obscure,  but 
full  of  life  and  power.     In  the  14  chapters  of  the 
book,  it  is  easy  to  recognize  two  great  divisions, 
but  the  subdivison  is  difficult. 
Chapters    1-3,    the  prophet's    marriage  with    an 
unfaithful   woman,    a    symbol    of 
Israel's       unfaithfulness       over 
against  Jehovah. 
"         4-14,    5everaldiscourses;]^\vo\2^\>\&didi^ 
with  Israel,  his  beloved   but  un- 
faithful spouse. 

7.— Joel. 

This  prophet  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
contemporary  of  Hosea.  His  commission  was 
to  Judah  what  that  of  Hosea  was  to  the  ten 
tribes  ;  his  style  is  the  very  opposite  of  that  of 
Hosea,  very  fluent  and  lucid.  A  public  calamity 
of  a  twofold  character:  drought  and  a  plague  of 
locusts,  forms  the  basis  of  the  prophet's  call  to 
repentance.  The  three  chapters  of  the  book  of 
Joel  may  be  subdivided  into  two  nearly  equal 
parts,  viz.: 


21 

Chapters    1:1-2:17,  the  call  to  repe7itance. 

"        2 :iS-3:2i,  the  promise  oi  renewed  mani- 
festations of  the  divine  favor. 

8.— Amos, 

Amos,  originally  a  shepherd,  was  called  by- 
God's  spirit  to  be  a  prophet,  although  not  trained 
in  a  prophetic  school.  He  traveled  from  Judah 
into  the  northern  kingdom  and  there  exercised 
his  ministry,  apparently  not  for  any  length  of 
time.  His  date  may  be  fixed  at  800  B.  C.  The 
kingdom  of  Israel  was  then,  under  Jeroboam  II, 
at  the  height  of  power  and  luxury  ;  the  prophet 
was  sent  as  a  herald  of  the  coming  judgment. 
The  book  of  Amos  contains  9  chapters,  which 
may  be  arranged  as  follows: 

Chapters  1-3,  \he  judgment  impending  upon  the 
nations  generally. 
"        4-6,  ihejudgment upon  the  nor t/iern  king- 
dom, in  particular. 
"         7-9,  sy7nbolieal  visions, 

9.  -Obadiah. 

It  is  probable  that  Obadiah  was  a  contemporary 
with  Jeremiah,  living  about  600  B.  C.  The  inser- 
tion of  his  prophecy  between  those  of  Amos  and 
Jonah  is  explained  on  the  ground  of  its  being  an 
amplification  of  the  last  five  verses  of  Amos. 
The  book  of  Obadiah  which  contains  but  one 
chapter  denounces  judgments  on  the  Edomites 
and  promises  restoration  and  future  prosperity 
to  Israel. 

10. -Jonah, 

The  general  opinion  is  that  Jonah  was  the  first 
of  the  prophets  whose  writings  have  been  pre- 
served and  that  his  time  dates  between  850  and 


22 

8oo  B,  C.     The  book  of  Jonah  is  chiefly  historical. 
It  contains  an  account  of  the  prophet's  mission 
to  the  city  of  Nineveh,  in  four  chapters. 
Chapters  i  and  2,  Jonah's  flight  and  return. 

"         3  and  4,  Jonah's   preaching-  and  the  re- 
mission of  the  judgment. 

ll.-Micah. 

Micah  exercised  die  prophetical  office  during 
the  reigns  of  Jotham,  Ahaz  and  Hezekiah,  kings 
of  Judah,  that  is  between  the  years  750  and 
700  B.  C.  He  was,  therefore,  the  contemporary 
of  the  prophet  Isaiah  and  resembles  him  in  the 
clear,  concise  and  poetical  style  of  his  writings. 
The  7  chapters  of  the  book  of  Micah  are  divided 
into  three  parts,  each  commencing  with  "Hear 
ye." 

Chapters  i  and  2,  addressed  to  all  the  people,  de- 
scribe the  coming  judgment. 
"         3-5,  the  judgment  upon ///^/^rtiTii'e'^-j- of  the 
people,  and  the  coming  of  Messiah. 
**        6  and  7,  Jehovah's  argument  w'xih.  Israel. 

12.— Nahum. 

The  date  of  Nahum  can  not  be  accurately 
determined,  but  it  is  probable  that  he  flourished 
in  the  latter  half  of  the  reign  of  Hezekiah,  and 
wrote  his  prophecy  soon  after  the  destruction  of 
Samaria  by  the  Assyrians,  about  720  B.  C.  The 
subject  of  the  prophecy  is  simply  "the  burden 
of  Nineveh,"  a  continuation  or  supplement  to 
Jonah.  The  book  of  Nahum  has  three  chapters. 
Chapter  i,  the  judgment  is  coming. 

"       2,  the  judgment  is  accomplished. 

"       3,  the  judgment  is  reviewed. 


23 

13.-Habakkiik. 

The  position  of  this  prophecy  in  the  Old 
Testament  canon,  as  M^ell  as  internal  evidence, 
lead  us  to  the  conclusion,  that  Habakkuk  was  a 
contemporary  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  625  B.  C. 
As  Nahum  had  declared  the  coming  judgment 
upon  the  Assyrians,  so  Habakkuk  was  com- 
missioned to  denounce  the  judgment  against 
the  Chaldeans.  His  style  is  peculiarly  grand 
and  sublime.  The  three  chapters  of  Habakkuk 
may  be  analyzed  as  follows: 

Chapter  i,  the  Chaldeans  are  instruments  of  God 
in  bringing  judgment. 

"       2,  they  are  in  iuvn  J udged  themselves. 

"       3,  the  prayer  of  the  prophet. 

14.— Zephaniah, 

Zephaniah,  according  to  the  inscription  of  his 
book,  was  another  contemporary  of  Jeremiah, 
and  prophesied  under  th 2  reign  of  King  Josiah, 
625  B.  C.  His  writings  are  characterized  chiefly 
by  the  harmony  of  the  composition  and  the 
gracefulness  of  the  style.  The  three  chapters  of 
Zephaniah,  like  those  of  Nahum  and  Habakkuk, 
contain  a  declaration  of  judgment  over  Judah 
and  Jerusalem,  mingled  with  promises  of  a 
future  restoration. 
Cha])ter  i,  the  judgment  a^^ainst  Judah. 

"       2,  the  judgment  against  J tidah' s  enemies. 

"       3>  Jerusalem,,   though  now  under  disci- 
pline, shall  be  restored. 

15.— Hagg-ai. 

The  remaining  three  of  the  minor  prophets, 
viz.:  Haggai,  Zechariah  and  Malachi,  flourished 
after  the  return  from  the  Babylonish  Captivity. 
Haggai  was  raised  up  by  the  Lord,  about  520  B.  C, 


24 

for  the  purpose  of  stimulating  Zerubbabel  and 
the  people  to  resume  the  building  of  the  temple 
which  had  been  interrupted.  The  two  chapters 
of  the  book  of  Haggai  seem  to  be  but  an  outline 
or  summary  of  the  discourses  of  this  prophet. 
Chapter  i,  the  discourse  delivered  in  the  sixth 

month. 
"         2,  discourses  delivered  in  the  seventh 

and  ninth  months. 

16.— Zechariali. 

Zechariah  was  the  younger  contemporary  of 
Haggai  (about  500  B.  C),  and  was  called  to  the 
prophetic  office  for  the  same  purpose,  viz.:  the 
rebuilding  of  the  temple.  Like  Jeremiah  and 
Ezekiel  before  him,  he  was  priest  as  well  as 
prophet.  The  book  of  Zechariah  contains  14 
chapters,  and,  like  the  book  of  Isaiah,  it  is 
divided  into  two  main  parts,  of  six  chapters  each, 
with  a  practical  discourse  in  two  chapters,  as  a 
connecting  link  between  the  first  and  second 
part. 

Chapters  1-6,  a  series  of  visions,  descriptive  of 
those  hopes  of  which  the  building 
of  the  temple  was  the  foundation. 
(i,  the  rider  in  the  valley  of 
myrtles  ;  2,  the  four  horns  ;  3,  the 
high  priest  Joshua  ;  4,  the  candle- 
stick ;  5,  the  flying  roll  ;  6,  the 
four  chariots.) 
7-8,  a  discourse  on  true  religion  and  a 
promise  of  the  restoration  of 
Israel. 
9-14,  a  prophetic  panorama  including 
the  times  of  the  Messiah,  and  the 
restoration  of  Israel  and  Jeru- 
salem subdivided  into  two  bur- 
dens ;   9-1 1,    the    coming   of    the 


25 

Messiah  arid  His  rejection;  12-14, 
the  repentance  of  Israel  and  its 
final  glory. 

17.— Malachi, 

Malachi,  the  last  of  the  prophets,  completed 
the  canon  of  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures  after 
the  second  ■  return  of  Nehemiah  from  Persia, 
about  420  B.  C.  He  occupied  the  same  position 
with  regard  to  the  reformation  under  Nehemiah, 
which  Isaiah  held  in  the  time  of  Hezekiah. 

The  four  chapters  of  Malachi  may  be  grouped 
as  follows: 

Chapters    i    and   2,   reproof  of   the   sins   of    the 
people. 
"  3   and  4,    the  Lord's  coming,  to    bring 

judgment  and  salvation. 

B.— tHe  New  testaiv|E|\It. 

The  New  Testament  contains  27  books,  5  of 
which  are  historical, 2 1  doctrinal  and  i  prophetical. 

I.-HISTORICAL    BOOKS. 

The  historical  books  of  the  New  Testament 
comprise  the  four  Gospels,  {i.e.,  a  fourfold 
account  of  the  earthly  life  and  work  of  our 
Saviour,)  and  the  book  of  Acts,  the  latter  being 
a  brief  record  of  the  Christian  Church,  from  its 
founding  to  the  imprisonment  of  St.  Paul  in 
Rome,  A.  D.  63. 

The  first  three  Gospels  are  termed  the  synoptical 
Gospels,  because,  as  regards  their  contents  and 
general  character,  they  proceed  upon  a  common 
outline.  The  narration  of  events,  with  the 
exception  of   the  last  journey  to  Jerusalem,  is 


26 

confined  to  Christ's  working"  in  Galilee,  and  is  a 
simple  statement  of  facts,  while  St,  John's  Gospel 
refers  more  fully  to  Christ's  working  in  Judea, 
with  an  occasional  comment  by  the  writer.  The 
synoptical  Gospels  refer  mainly  to  Christ's  work, 
and  to  the  establishment  of  His  kingdom  on 
earth,  that  of  John  refers  rather  to  \ki^  person  of 
Christ  and  the  eternal  decrees  of  God.  Matthew, 
Mark  and  Luke  represent  Christ  principally  as 
the  Son  of  man,  the  Messiah  and  the  Saviour, 
the  fourth  Gospel  represents  Him,  first  of  all, 
as  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  the  only  mediator 
between  God  and  men. 

:|.— Matthew, 

The  first  Gospel  was  written  by  Matthew, 
surnamed  Levi,  one  of  the  twelve  apostles,  but 
formerly  a  publican  or  tax-gatherer.  It  was 
intended  primarily  for  the  Hebrews  and  for 
Jewish-Christian  converts.  Hence  the  frequent 
quotations  from  the  Old  Testament,  the  tracing 
of  Christ's  genealogy  to  Abraham,  etc.  The 
writer  represents  Christ  as  the  Messiah  of  Israel, 
the  new  lawgiver,  the  true  prophet,  priest  and 
king.  The  Gospel  according  to  Matthew  contains 
28  chapters,  which  may  be  arranged  in  four 
groups  of  seven  chapters  each: 

Chapters    1-7,  the  beginning  of  Christ's  ministry, 

including   the    "Sermon    on    the 

Mount." 
"        8-14,  His  glorious  work  in  Galilee. 
"       15-21,  the  steadily  increasing  opposition 

of  His  enemies. 
"       22-28,   His    last    discourses,    death     and 

resurrection. 


27 

2.— Mark, 

The  second  Gospel,  composed  by  Mark,  the 
assistant  of  the  apostle  Peter,  seems  to  have 
been  written  principally  for  the  Romans.  It 
records  the  deeds  rather  than  the  words  of 
Christ,  and  represents  Him  as  the  powerful 
worker  of  miracles.  The  narrative  Seems  to 
follow  the  strict  chronological  order  of  events. 
The  i6  chapters  of  this  Gospel  are  divided  into 
two  nearly  equal  parts,  viz.: 
Chapters  1-19,  Christ's  ministry  in  Galilee. 

"  10-16,  His  ministry  in  Peraea  and  Judea., 
including  His  death  and  resur- 
rection. 

3.  -Luke. 

Luke,  the  companion  of  St.  Paul,  the  apostle 
of  the  Gentiles,  and  himself  of  Gentile  birth, 
wrote  his  Gospel  especially  for  the  Greeks. 
Christ  is  to  him,  above  all,  the  ideal  man,  the 
i^aviour  of  all  men,  the  friend  of  sinners  and  the 
kedeemer  of  the  world.  Luke  wrote  after  a 
careful  examination  of  the  existing  records  and 
sburces  of  the  Gospel  narrative,  and  arranged 
his  story  according  to  a  systematic  plan.  The 
24  chapters  of  Luke's  Gospel  may  be  arranged 
in  four  groups,  of  3,  6,  9  and  again  6  chapters, 
respectively. 

Chapters  1-3,  the  preparation  for  Christ's  min- 
istry. 

"  4-9,  discourses  and   acts  of  our  Lord, 

belonging  to  Capernaum  and 
neighborhood,  retorded  also  by 
Matthew  and  Mark. 

**  ia-i8,  a  collection  of  accounts,  referring 
to  "Christ's  journey,"  mostly 
peculiar  to  Luke. 


28 

••       19-24.  the  story  of  Christ's  sufferings  and 

triwnph. 

4.-  John. 

The  apostle  John,  doubtless,  wrote  his  Gospel 
narrative  some  time  after  the  other  three  Gospels 
had  been  written,  perhaps  about  A.  D.  75,  and 
principally  for  Christian  readers.  It  supplements 
the  other  gospels  in  that  it  contains  some 
important  events  and  especially  discourses,  not 
recorded  in  them;  but  it  has  its  own  scope, 
character  and  purpose.  The  apostle  after  stating- 
dogmatically  that  Jesus  Christ  was  the  incarnate 
Word,  the  son  of  God,  proves  this  statement  by 
the  words  and  works  of  Christ  which  convinced 
even  the  doubting  Thomas.  St.  John  relates  but 
nine  of  the  miracles  of  Christ.  His  Gospel,  like 
that  of  Mark,  is  arranged  chronologically.  It 
contains  21  chapters. 
Chapter  i:i-i8,  the  dogmatical  statement. 

"  1:19-20:29,  the  historical  proof;  1:19-11: 
57,  Christ's  ministry;  12:1-20:29, 
His  sufferings  and  triumph. 

"       i\\\-i^,  the  conclusion. 

5. -The  Acts. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  a  second  treatise  by 
the  author  of  the  third  Gospel,  may  have  been 
written  about  A.  D.  65;  at  least  the  period  com- 
prised in  its  pages  terminates  in  the  year  63  A.  D. 
The  book  contains  principally  the  acts  of  Peter 
and  Paul,  the  former  being  the  central  figure  of 
the  first  group  and  the  latter  of  the  second 
group.  We  divide  the  28  chapters  of  the  Acts 
into  4  parts  of  7  chapters  each: 
Chapters  1-7,  the  Church  in  Jerusalem,  A.  D. 
31-37. 


29 

**        8-14,  the   spread  of  the   Gospel :  Paul's 
first  missionary  journey    through 
Asia  Minor,  A.  D.  37-50. 
"       15-21,  the   second  and  third   Missionary 

journey  of  Paul,  A.  D.  50-58. 
"       22-28,  Paul  a  prisoner  and  his  journey  to 
Rome,  A.  D.  58-63. 

II.— THE  EPISTLES. 

Of  the  21  Epistles  contained  in  the  New 
Testament  two-thirds,  viz.:  13  or  14  are  St. 
Paul's,  the  remaining  third  is  from  the  pen  of 
other  apostles  or  of  men  having  apostolic 
authority.  St.  Paul's  epistles  are  not  arranged 
chronologically,  but  according  to  their  contents. 
In  the  order  of  the  time  of  writing  the  two 
epistles  to  the  Thessalonians  come  first ;  a 
second  group  comprises  Romans,  Corinthians 
and  Galatians;  a  third  group  Ephesians,  Colos- 
sians,  Philippians  and  Philemon;  and  the  fourth 
group  the  epistles  to  Timothy  and  Titus. 

1. — Romans. 

The  epistle  to  the  Romans  was  written  at 
Corinth,  during  the  third  missionary  journey  of 
Paul,  A.  D,  58.  The  church  at  Rome  was  not 
founded  by  an  apostle,  but  by  Christian  converts 
from  the  East;  it  included  Jewish  Christians  and 
Gentile  Christians.  This  epistle  stands  first  in 
the  order  of  Paul's  epistles  because  of  the 
importance  of  the  church  addressed,  and  the 
importance  of  its  contents.  The  subject  is : 
"The  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  the  salvation  both 
of  the  Jews  and  of  the  Gentiles."  The  16 
chapters  into  which  the  epistle  is  divided,  group 
themselves  as  follows: 


30 

Chapters  i-ii,  \\\^  doctrinal  part. 

"  a.  i-Z,  iheGospel  of  Christ  is  the  salvaiiofi 
of  individual  men.  1-4,  on  whi.1 
the  Gospel  is  founded,  viz.:  the 
general  need  of  a  Saviour  (i:  18- 
3:20),  and  the  divine  promises 
(3:21-4  end);  5-8,  what  the  Gospel 
does  for  the  believer,  viz.:  it  justi- 
fies (5),  sanctifies  (6  and  7),  and  it 
glorifies  (8). 

**  d.  9-1 1,  theGospel of  Christ  is  the  salvation 
of  Jews  and  Gentiles  as  a  whole;  9, 
the  mystery  of  Israel's  rejection; 
10,  the  explanation;  11,  the  final 
solution. 

"  12-16,  the  practical  part;  lessons  derived 
from  the  doctrinal  part;  12  and  13, 
Individual  Christian  conduct  ;  14 
and  15,  Christian  fellowship  and 
social  relations;  16,  greetings  and 
commendations. 

2.— I  Corinthians. 

The  first  epistle  to  the  Corinthians  was  written 
during  the  apostle's  three  years'  sojourn  in  the 
city  of  Ephesus,  about  A.  D.  57,  one  year  before 
he  wrote  to  the  Romans.  The  letter  was  called 
forth  by  the  information  which  Paul  had  received 
of  divisions  that  existed  in  the  Corinthian  church, 
of  sins  having  occurred  among  Christian  con- 
verts and  of  questions  that  had  arisen  concerning 
matters  of  Christian  practice.  The  general  sub- 
ject of  the  epistle  is :  '  'The  Christian  Congregation, 
its  doctrine  and  ritual,"  but  the  contents  are  ex- 
tremely varied.  We  may  group  the  16  chapters 
as  follows: 
Chapters    1-4,    their  dissensions  contrasted  with 

the  spirit   of  Christ  and  of    His 

apostles. 


•*  5-^o,  social  relations   (Christian   disci- 

pline, going-  to  law,  marriag-e, 
giving  and  taking  offense). 

**  11-14,  public  worship  and  spiritual 
gifts. 

*•  15  and  16,  the  resurrection  of  the  dead 
and  miscellaneous  matters. 

3.— II  Corinthians. 

The  second  epistle  was  sent  a  few  months 
subsequent  to  the  first  (A.  D.  58)  from  Macedonia. 
It  was  occasioned  by  the  information  which  the 
apostle  had  received  with  regard  to  the  effect  of 
the  first  letter.  The  majority  of  the  members  of 
the  church  had  heeded  Paul's  admonitions,  a 
minority  opposed  him  and  doubted  his  authority. 
Hence  this  second  epistle  relates  mainly  to  the 
person  and  work  of  the  apostle  Paul.  It  has  13 
chapters. 

Chapters   1-7,  the  position  and  work  of  Paul  and 
his  relation  to  his  converts. 
"  8-9,  directions  about  collections  for  the 

church  in  Jerusalem, 
**       10-13,  defense  of  the  apostolic  character 
of  Paul. 

4.  — Galatiatt$4. 

The  date  of  this  epistle  is  earlier  than  either 
Romans  or  Corinthians,  perhaps  A.  D.  55.  It 
was  addressed  to  the  churches  of  the  Asiatic 
province  of  Galatia,  which  had  been  founded 
by  the  apostle  during  his  second  Missionary 
journey,  A.  D.  51.  The  letter  appears  to  have 
been  called  forth  hy  the  information  that  certain 
Jewish  Christians  urged  the  necessity  of  observ- 
ing the  Mosaic  law,  circumcision,  etc.  The 
theme  is:     The  law  and  the  Gospel. 


32 

Chapters  i  and  2,  apologetic;  a  vindication  of  Paul 

and  his  doctrine. 
•*        "^dLiid.  \, polemical  J    a    series    of  proofs 

drawn  from  the  Old  Testament, 

that    the    law   was    fulfilled    in 

Christ. 
*'       5  and  6,  practical  J  inferences   from  the 

foregoing  discussion. 

5.— Ephesians. 

This  letter  was  written  by  Paul,  while  he  was 
a  prisoner  at  Rome,  presumably  immediately 
after  he  had  written  the  epistle  to  theColossians, 
perhaps  in  the  early  part  of  A.  D.  62.  It  was 
addressed  to  the  church  at  Ephesus,  where  he 
abode  so  long,  and  from  the  elders  of  which 
he  parted  with  such  an  affectionate  farewell. 
Ephesus  was  the  city  in  which  stood  the  famous 
temple  of  Diana.  Probably  with  reference  to 
that  temple  the  apostle,  in  this  epistle,  treats  of 
the  spiritual  temple  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

The  six  chapters  of  the  epistle  naturally  divide 
themselves  into  two  portions: 
Chapters  1-3,  doctrinal;  the  spiritual  foundation, 
the  glory  and  the  aim  of  the  Church 
of  Christ. 
**        4-6,  hortatory  ixxid  practical;  ^NYi-aX^'^iv'xl 
must  pervade  the  Church   and  its 
members,  individually  and  collec- 
tively. 

6.— Philippians. 

The  Christian  community  at  Philippi  distin- 
guished itself  by  its  liberality.  They  contributed 
readily  to  the  collection  made  for  the  relief  of 
the  poor  in  Jerusalem;  they  entertained  the 
apostle  on  his  several  visits  to  the  city  with  an 
affectionate  cordiality,  and  after  Paul's  arrival  in 


33 

Rome,  they  sent  Epaphroditus  to  him  with 
supplies  and  to  render  him  service.  Hence  the 
epistle  addressed  to  the  Philippians.  which  was 
written  from  Rome  about  A.  D.  63,  is  particularly 
full  of  brotherly  affection  and  good  wishes.  It 
is  altogether  a  practical  epistle.  The  contents 
of  the  four  chapters  may  be  classified  as  follows: 
Chapter  i,  information  respecting  himself. 

"  2  and  3,  good  advice  to  his  Christian  con- 
verts. 

"      4,  acknowledgment  of  their  kindness. 

7.— Coloissians. 

This  epistle,  chronologically  considered,  seems 
to  have  preceded  those  to  the  Ephesians  and 
Philippians.  Its  date  of  writing  is  the  early 
portion  of  Paul's  captivity  at  Rome,  A.  D.  61  or 
62.  It  was  called  forth  by  information  received 
from  Epaphras  and  Onesimus,  and  designed  to 
warn  the  Christians  at  Colossae,  against  certain 
false  teachers,  whose  teaching  tended  to  obscure 
the  eternal  glory  and  dignity  of  Christ.  The 
epistle  contains  four  chapters  and  is  divided 
into  two  equal  parts: 

Chapters  i  and  2,  doctrinal  part :    i,    Christ    the 
only  mediator  of  salvation  ;  2, 
warning  against  false  philoso- 
phy and  ceremonial  legalism. 
"         3  and  4,  practical  part:  Christian  duties. 

8.— I  ThessaloDians. 

The  two  epistles  addressed  to  the  Thessalonians 
are  the  earliest  of  Paul's  epistles.  They  were 
written  from  Corinth,  not  long  after  the  apostle 
had  founded  the  church  at  Thessalonica,  probably 
A.  D.  52.  One  of  their  special  features  is  the 
instruction  which  the  apostle  imparts,  concerning 


34 

the  second  coming  of  the  Lord.  I  Thessalonians 
is  divided  into  five  chapters,  which  may  be 
arranged  in  two  parts,  each  closing  with  a  prayer. 
Chapters  1-3,  narrative  portion;  their  conversion, 

Paul's  ministry  among  them,  and 

his  concern  for  them. 
••         4-5,  hortatory  portion;  Christian  conduct 

and  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

9.— II  Thessalonians. 

The  contents  of  this  epistle  show  it  to  have 
been  written  very  soon  after  the  former  one  and 
at  the  same  place.  Its  leading  motive  appears 
to  be  the  desire  of  correcting  certain*  errors  and 
misrepresentations,  especially  with  regard  to 
the  second  advent  of  Christ.  The  subject  and 
general  character  are  the  same  as  in  the  first 
epistle;  also  the  division  into  two  parts,  each 
closing  with  a  prayer. 

Chapters  i  and  2,  doctrinal  part;  encouragement 
under    persecutions,    and    in- 
struction concerning  the  Anti- 
christ. 
"  3,  practical  part;   exhortation  to 

prayer  and  reproof  of  the  dis- 
orderly. 

10.-  I  Timothy. 

The  date  of  the  two  epistles  to  Timothy  and 
of  the  epistle  to  Titus  has  been  a  subject  of 
much  controversy,  some  assigning  them  to  the 
years  A.  D.  56-58,  and  others  to  the  last  years  of 
the  life  of  the  apostle,  after  his  release  from  the 
first  imprisonment  at  Rome.  According  to  the 
latter  view  they  were  written  after  A.  D,  63. 
They  differ,  in  character,  from  the  preceding 
epistles,  in  that  they  are  not  addressed  to  con- 
gregations, but  to  ministers  of  the  Church,  and 


35 

speak  particularly  of  the  qualifications  and  duties 
of  the  Christian  ministry. 

The  first  epistle  to  Timothy  is  divided  into  6 
chapters.     These  may  be  grouped  in  two  equal 
parts,  although  it  is  hardly  possible  to  discern 
any  regular  order  or  connection  of  thought. 
Chapters  1-3,  the  principles,  with  regard  to  Chris- 
tian doctrine  (i),  religious  worship 
(2)  and  holy  orders  (3). 
"        4-6,  the  application   of   the  principles  ; 
Timothy's    personal    conduct    (4), 
his  pastoral  duties  (5)  and  his  mm- 
isterial  work  in  general  (6). 

11. -II  Timothy. 

The  second  epistle  is  perhaps  the  last  letter  of 
the  apostle  Paul  that  has  been  preserved.  It 
consists  of  4  chapters,  the  contents  of  which 
may  be  arranged  as  follows: 

Chapters  i  and  2,  ih.e  present  duties  of  Timothy; 
to  develop  his  gifts,  to  be 
courageous  and  firm. 
*'  3  and  4,  the  outlook  into  the  future; 
what  Timothy  must  prepare  for 
and  what  Paul  has  in  expec- 
tation. 

12.  -Titus. 

Titus,  a  gentile  Christian,  converted  through 
Paul's  instrumentality  and  afterwards  his  fellow 
worker,  was  left  by  the  apostle  on  the  island 
of  Crete  to  organize  the  churches  there  by 
appointing  presbyters  in  every  city,  The  epistle 
is  supposed  to  have  been  written  after  the  first 
epistle  to  Timothy.  It  contains  directions  how 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  one  who  is  set  over 
the  churches.  The  tone  is  more  official,  while 
in  the  epistles  to  Timothy  it  is  confidential.    The 


56 

three  chapters  into  which  the  epistle  is  divided 
may  be  analyzed  thus: 
Chapter  i,  church  government. 

"       2,  doctrine  and  pastoral  work. 
3,  discipline. 

13.— Philemon. 

This  is  a  letter  of  recommendation,  addressed 
to  a  member  of  the  church  at  Colossae,  in  behalf 
of  a  slave,  Onesimus  by  name,  who  having  fled 
from  his  master's  service  to  the  city  of  Rome, 
was  converted  under  Paul's  ministry  to  the 
Christian  faith,  and  then  sent  back  to  his  master. 
It  was,  probably,  written  and  delivered  at  the 
same  time  with  the  epistle  to  the  Colossians. 
The  tenderness  and  delicacy  of  this  epistle, 
together  with  the  skill  of  its  composition,  have 
always  been  greatly  admired. 
14,— Hebrews. 
Whether  this  epistle  was  written  by  the  apostle 
Paul  or  some  one  else,  is  a  question  which  can 
not  be  fully  decided.  If  written  by  Paul,  it  is 
supposed  to  date  from  the  end  of  his  first  captivity 
in  Rome  about  A.  D,  63.  It  was,  probably, 
addressed  to  the  Jews  in  Jerusalem  and  Palestine. 
Its  general  theme  is:  "Christ  and  the  new  cove- 
nant superior  to  the  old  dispensation."  It  is 
divided  into  13  chapters  which  group  themselves 
in  three  parts  of  4  chapters  each,  with  the  13th 
chapter  as  a  conclusion. 

Chapters  1-4,  Christ  the  best  Mediator  of  revela- 
tion; I  and  2,  superior  to  prophets 
and  angels;  3  and  4,  superior  to 
Moses,  Joshua  and  Aaron. 
5-8,  Christ  the  great  priest-king,  like 
Melchizedek;    5   and  6,    appointed 


of  God  and  before  whom  every 
knee  must  bow;  7  and  8,  a  true 
highpriest. 
*'  9-12,  the  new  covenant  superior  to  the 
old  ;  9  and  10,  it  brinijs  us  into 
true  communion  with  God;  11  and 
12,  patterns  of  holy  Uving,  in  the 
faithful  men  of  old,  must  be 
imitated. 

15. — James. 

The  writer  of  the  epistle  was  probably  James, 
surnamed  the  Just,  the  first  "  bishop"  of  the 
Church  in  Jerusalem,  who  is  identified  with  the 
apostle  James,  the  less,  or  with  the  "  brother  of 
the  Lord."  The  time  of  writing  is  not  known. 
It  is  addressed  to  Jewish  Christians  and  its  object 
appears  not  to  be  to  teach  doctrine,  but  to  exhort 
his  readers  to  patience  under  manifold  trials,  and 
to  warn  them  against  a  form  of  religion  which 
is  devoid  of  the  true  spirit. 

Chapter  i  teaches    the    Christian    conduct  under 
trials. 
"     i-^ivarn   against  various   sins    to    which 

Jewish  Christians  were  most  liable. 
"       5  exhorts  them  to  be  honest,  patient  and 
prayerful. 

16-1  Peter. 

This  epistle  appears  to  have  been  written 
at  Babylon,  where  the  Christian  religion  was 
established  at  an  early  date  and  where  the 
apostle  Peter  appears  to  have  resided  for  some 
time.  It  was  addressed  to  the  churches  in  Asia 
Minor  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  written, 
after  the  apostle  had  seen  and  studied  some  of 
the  writings  of  St.  Paul,  probably  not  before 
A.  D.  63.     It  is  mainly  a  practical  epistle  intended 


38 

to  strengthen  the  believers  and  to  exhort  them 
to  walk  worthily  of  their  profession.  While 
St.  Paul  dwells  especially  upon  saving  faith-, 
St.  Peter's  special  theme  is  the  glorious  hope  of 
the  Christian.  The  5  chapters  of  this  first  epistle 
may  be  arranged,  as  follows: 
Chapter  i,  what  Christians  have  received. 

"       2  and  3,  how,    accordingly,    they    should 

live. 
**       4  and  5,  what    they   shall     strive    after, 
especially  in  view  of  the  future 
nianifestation  of  Christ. 

17.-II  Peter. 

The  second  epistle  of  Peter  was  addressed  to 
the  same  persons  as  the  former  one,  and  must 
have  been  written  shortly  before  the  martyrdom 
of  the  apostle.  It  includes  a  passage  which  bears 
a  strong  resemblance  to  the  epistle  of  Jude,  whioh 
Refer  may  have  read.  The  three  chapters,  into 
which  this  Epistle  is  divided,  may  be  said  to  refer, 
respectively,  to  the  past,  present  and  future. 
Chapter  i,  the  .past,  the  sure  foundation. 

"      2,  the  present,  the  dange'rs  Which  beset 

their  path. 
••      3,  the  future,  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

18.— I  John. 

From  the  patriarchal  tone  of  this  epistle  it  is 
inferred  that  it  was  written,  when  the  apostle 
John  was  advanced  in  age,  about  A.  D.  90,  and 
perhaps  from  EphesuS,  where  the  apostle 
ordinarily  resided.  In  the  introduction  St.  John 
states,  as  the  purpose  of  the  epistle :  to  declare 
the  Word  of  life,  in  order  that  he  and  his  readers 
may  have  true  communion  with  God  ib  Christ,  and 
with  each  other.     St.  John  is  the  apostle  of  love^ 


39 

but  this  love  springs  from  faith   and  produces 
obedience.     The  five  chapters  of  this  first  epistle 
may  be  arranged  under  the  following  heads  : 
Chapters  i  and  2,  God  is  light;  we  must  come  to 

the  light,  confess  our  sins,  be 

cleansed  from  sin  and  living  in 

communion    with    God,   must 

walk  in  the  light, 
**        3  and  4,  God  is  love;  the  children  of  God 

love  and  obey  their  father,  and 

love  the  brethren. 
"  5,  the  faith,  love  and  obedience  of 

the  children  of  God  overcome 

the  world. 

19.— II  John. 

This  short  epistle  is  addressed  to  a  Christian 
lady,  whom  the  apostle  desires  to  warn  against 
the   preachers   of  a  doctrine,  which   is   not  in 
accordance  with  the  love  of  Christ. 
20.-III  John. 

In  this  epistle  the  apostle  commends  to  a  cer- 
tain Cajus,  some  brethren,  perhaps  evangelists, 
who  were  strangers  in  the  place  where  he  lived. 
A  certain  Diotrephes  had  used  his  influence 
against  receiving  such  missionary  brethren. 
21.— Jude. 

From  early  times  this  epistle  has  been 
attributed  to  Jude,  "the  bishop  of  Jerus.alem." 
Its  object  is  to  warn  Christian  readers  against 
ungodly  men,  "who  turn  the  grace  of  our  GcTd 
into  lasciviousness."  The  writer  describes, 
forcibly,  the  character  and  the  punishment  of 
&uch  men. 

III.-PROPHETICAL  BOOKS. 

The  New  Testament  contains  but  one  prophet- 
ical book,  properly  so  called,  although  there  are 


40 

many  prophetical  passages  in  the  discourses  of 
our  Lord  and  in  the  Epistles. 

22.— Revelation. 

The  book  of  Revelation  was  probably  the  last 
book  which  the  apostle  John  wrote ;  according- 
to  the  church-father  Irenseus  "towards  the  close 
of  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Domitian,"  that  ib- 
about  A.  D.  95-97.  Tradition  says,  that  in  the 
persecution  under  Domitian,  John  was  banished 
to  the  island  of  Patmos.  The  22  chapters  into 
which  the  book  of  Revelation  is  divided,  natur- 
ally, group  themselves  in  two  equal  parts. 

Chapters  i-ii,  the  world's  history,  from  the  tune 
of  the  apostle  to  the  etidj  1-3,  first 
vision :  the  Son  of  man  and  the 
church,  or  the  seven  epistles  to 
the  seven  churches  ;  4-7,  second 
vision,  the  Lamb  and  the  seven 
seals,  or  the  riddles  of  the  world's 
history  solved  by  Christ;  8-1 1 
third  vision,  the  seven  trumpets 
and  seven  thunders,  or  the  di- 
vine judgments  and  the  victo- 
rious establishment  of  Christ's 
kingdom. 

Chapters  12-22,  the  assaults  of  the  devil  and  b's 
agents  upon  the  Church,  andt...ir 
filial  destruction  J  12-14,  the  war 
between  Christ  and  the  Anti- 
christ ;  the  child  and  the  dragon 
(12),  the  church  and  the  beast 
(i3),Zion  and  Babylon  (14) ;  15-19, 
the  judgments  upon  Babylon 
and  the  beast ;  the  seven  vials  of 
of  wrath  (15  and  16),  Babylon  and 
the  beast  destroyed  (17-19);  20-22, 
the  end  of  the  world  and  the  new 
Jerusalem. 


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